Monthly archives for November, 2008

We now have the ability to accept charitable donations through our website.

Alcor has a long, proud tradition of innovation and technical excellence in the field of cryonics. Without the charitable gifts from our members and supporters, the organization would be unable to prosper. A first draft budget has been completed for next year and the organization is likely to face a large deficit in 2009. Your gift will help sustain the general operations budget at the level necessary to continue in our quest for better cryopreservations.

Cheryl Knight from The Institution of Engineering and Technology visited Alcor and the Cryonics Institute and published a positive, refreshing and an in-depth article on cryonics. A science without a deadline reports on: the cryopreservation process; a symbol of hope; possibility of revival; ethics; skeptics; and clears up myths about cryonics.

CEO SEARCH
Two applications for the CEO position were received and distributed to committee members this month. Sixteen applications have been received thus far. One candidate was interviewed by committee members and several board directors. In early November, the Executive Search Committee plans to discuss other possible candidates to be interviewed.

TRANSPORT COORDINATOR
The Transport Coordinator Job Search Committee has began setting up times and dates to interview several candidates who have applied for this position.

Research and Development
Refinements continue on the whole-body enclosure for the vitrification system. We have been working to adjust the liquid nitrogen flows and temperature distribution across both the cooling stage and the patient environment. The testing this month included:

1. Performing a trial run of the cDAQ – 9172 unit from National Instruments.
2. Performing an extreme cold test of the redesigned and prototyped enclosure lid.
3. Gaining and recording data on the cooling efficiency of the table for use in fine tuning of liquid nitrogen delivery.

Research and Development Committee
Through a unanimous vote from the Board, R. Pancake was added to the Research and Development Committee. Other voting members include Brian Wowk, PhD, Steve Harris, MD, and Tanya Jones. The Research and Development Committee determines uses for the Readiness Grant provided by the Life Extension Foundation, the Miller family, and Edward and Vivian Thorp.
Readiness Grant

Alcor’s first use of the readiness grant was to help fund some much needed improvements to its stabilization and transport kits, which were featured in the August 2008 issue of AlcorNews. The funds were used to purchase the following:

9 new sets of medications, with assorted supplies for medication administration;
1 Michigan Instruments Thumper repair;
6 rescue baskets for the construction of new ice baths, with assorted materials;
1 box of arterial cannula for ATP;
Labor for construction of 6 new ice baths;
Labor for construction of 9 medication kits.

We thank the Life Extension Foundation, the Miller family and Edward and Vivian Thorp for their donation towards readiness improvements of $32,639.68.

Presently, all the below first response teams in the field have fresh medication kits with up-to-date medications:
Alcor Central
Massachusetts
Northern California
Southern California
Florida
Nevada
United Kingdom

Continued work is being done to improve the stabilization and transport kits.

Jennifer Chapman named Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer
Discussions between the board of directors and Alcor management regarding recent changes in Jennifer Chapman‘s role and responsibilities prompted the board to vote to change Jennifer Chapman’s title to Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, per the Bylaws provision that requires CFO to be Treasurer. Jennifer will direct the organization’s financial affairs and maintain its fiscal records, including evaluating and implementing internal controls, preparing budgets, producing internal financial statements, and overseeing financial reviews conducted by an outside accounting firm. Jennifer serves on the Financial Advisory Committee formed in July 2008.

Membership Services
There were a total of nine new members this month. Growth in 2009 is expected to be a substantial improvement over 2006 and 2007, although there is still room for improvement. Remember, cryonics grows the fastest when existing members and supporters talk with friends and loved ones about cryonics and Alcor’s program.

Thursday, November 13th (10:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.
CBS has a new drama this season that airs on Thursdays entitled “Eleventh Hour.” On this Thursday’s episode, titled “Frozen,” a woman’s body is discovered on the beach on the hottest day of the year – frozen solid with no signs of thawing. Dr. Jacob Hood, Special Science Advisor to the FBI, is called in to investigate. A companion story about the real world of cryonics may air on late news stations directly following the broadcast.